How To Enjoy Your Wedding On A Budget

By Alysa Seeland

In this series we’ve talked a lot about saving money on weddings. Everything from how to have a wedding on a budget, how to save up for a wedding, and ways save on your wedding. As we draw this series to a close, you’ve accomplished a lot of things. You’ve chosen a venue, food, decided decor, found the perfect wedding dress, DIYed party favors and even tasted the cake. As you’re dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s - I wanted to give you the best advice anyone ever gave me - stop thinking and enjoy your wedding.

If you’re like me that’s a lot easier said than done, especially when you’ve put so much time into massaging the budget and performing all kinds of financial gymnastics to pull of this day. For that reason, I’ve included a list 5 ways to help you to sit back, and relax.

1. Eat lots of food
One of the easiest things to forget to do is eat! You’re greeting people, taking your entourage to the restroom with you, running from dancing to cutting the cake, to taking pictures with your 3rd cousins. It is precisely for all these reason that you need to take time right at the beginning and park it until you finish it. This is especially necessary if you’re leaving that night for your honeymoon getaway.

Smart Brides: Pack a snack for you plus one! Trail mix, vitamin waters, whatever tickles your fancy and can give you a quick burst of energy. That way whether you’re between photo shoots or sprinting to catch your plane you’re prepared!

2. Sneak away with your love and photographer
The best way to make this day special is to schedule an intimate photo session with your photographer between the ceremony and reception. Even if it is in the same location, taking time to celebrate this day just you two will keep you mindful of the reason you’re going through all this madness and will make the most precious pictures for years to come!

Smart Brides: Strike a pose! Whether you go Zoolander fierce, twitterpated duo, or jump in the air, letting loose will help you relax and make for some great mug shots!

3. Laugh when things don’t go as planned
I have some bad news for you...something is going to go wrong at your wedding. It may be as simple as mixing up a seating arrangement, or as large as breaking the clasp on your dress (like I did, in the powder room, by myself, right before I walked down the aisle). The important thing is the laugh. High stress situations can catapult us into hyperventilation and panic which inhibits clear thinking. Laughing at the situation not only diffuses tension, but allows you to think more clearly and solve the problem faster!

Smart Brides: Have a go-to girl who is not in the bridal party be “on-call.” For example, my aunt was by my side 24/7 to solve any crisis that might occur, wedding or reception. The Maid of Honor is great for pre-wedding prep but during the ceremony she has her own crisis to deal with!

4. Survey the scene
Dana from Broke Ass Bride says it better than anyone, “Take a deep breath and look around. Often.” The day is a whirlwind of white, hugs, kisses, food and cake and by the time you fall like a rock into bed - you can find yourself wondering what happened. While you will have pictures to help you remember, it’s better to have memories of your own.

Smart Brides: Know not to blink. Ok, so that’s a bit much. Take 1 minute every hour and just stare at something. You’ll catch the most amazing things; your dad squeezing your mom’s hand, your sister shedding a tear, your loved one with a twinkle in their eye - these are the moments too precious to miss!

5. Invest in you the day before
If you’re a runner, go for a loooong run. If you like getting your nails done go the salon and stay all day. If you’re a writer, find a place and journal. Whatever you like, spend some time alone doing that the day before. The worst thing you can do is run around trying to get last minute odds and ends to where they need to be, especially since the thing people will be looking at the most is you!

Smart Brides: Find someone else to do the last minute odds and ends -  you’ve got a big day tomorrow.

It has been so fun to share my tips, thoughts and remenisce with you! Knowing how to enjoy your wedding day is so valuable and I am so thankful to everyone who helped our wedding day be a success. Now, I’d like to hear from you!

Please take a second and fill out the survey below!

Cheap Date Night Ideas: 7 frugal dates for summertime!

By Alysa Seeland

Summertime is quickly approaching and with it a whole arsenal of cheap date night ideas! Now just because I say “cheap” doesn’t mean you’ll be skipping out on the romance. In fact frugal dates are often more romantic because they require a little more elbow grease.

1. Evening Picnic At The Lake Or Beach
Since summer brings heat, the hubs and I love this DIY meal in the evening. We get to watch the sunset and sit on a grassy knoll by the ocean without the heat or the crowd! A typical meal consists of french bread, cheese, cherries, sliced roast beef, mini cheesecake and San Pellegrino!

Be a cheap date pro: Save money on food! Go Whole Foods or any other grocery and order exactly what you need (we do 1/16 lb). That way there’s no worry about keeping the excess cool. Also, buy fruit in season and on sale,  a must when buying groceries on a budget.

2. Beer Tasting/Wine Tasting
I found this tip on Frugal Confession’s post 15 Frugal Date Ideas. Local vineyards and wineries often host tastings in the summer to showcase a summer brew. Overall, this is a great way to get your sophisticated on and learn more about wine without paying top dollar!

Be a cheap date pro: Keep your eye out for local breweries or wineries that partner with other shops and avoid the touristy companies that charge more than $40.

3. Cooking Dinner With Farmer’s Market Finds
This idea comes from the Art Of Manliness, specifically their post 10 Cheap Date Ideas She’ll Actually Love. In this idea they actually hit two birds with one stone allowing for a european morning extravaganza and an intimate collaboration for the evening.

Be a cheap date pro: Set your own budget and prepare to use some ingredients you have at home. Since eating out isn’t always the healthiest, this is also great for shopping healthy on a budget.

4. Red Wine And A Red Box
I realize this is the second time I’ve mentioned wine...but I feel my reasons are valid. Trader Joe’s has a great two-buck-chuck that is definitely cost efficient and as long as you return your Red Box on time you’ll be making out like a bandit at a $3 cost!

Be a cheap date pro: If you have the interwebs, download a movie from Amazon/iTunes and skip the risk of forgetting to return the DVD.

5. Groupon And Other Deals
While I’m not a huge fan of coupons because they just make me spend more. Sites like Groupon and Living Social have some great deals. J. Money from Budget’s Are Sexy talks about his success with sites like Groupon, even how they helped him go from “Mr. Workaholic to Mr. Casanova!”As long as you’re not over-splurging 50% off dinner is a great way to save on date-night.

Be a cheap date pro: Never leave for a night on the town without checking Groupon/Livingsocial first. Choose the type of meal you want and let Groupon etc choose the venue for ½ the price.

6. Moonlight Walk
Life is busy. That’s why on cool summer evenings I throw on a hoodie, grab the hubs, and spend hours gazing at the stars. It’s quiet, calm and the two of us are finally spending uninterrupted quality time. The best part? You’re spending quality time with the one you love for free.

Be a cheap date pro: Bring a blanket and thermos of something to share!

7. Make An Indoor Tent
This is one of my favorite frugal date ideas! Reclaim your playful side and create a budget-friendly getaway. All you need are clean sheets and a resourceful mind. This date costs almost nothing, but may require some “quality time” with the washing machine.

Be a cheap date pro: Put pillows on the floor, and set up christmas lights. Then, snuggle up with your honey and watch an old movie!

Do you have any other cheap date night ideas? Or, are there any frugal dates you especially love for summertime? 

Save Money Shopping: 51 ways to stop impulse-buying

By Alysa Seeland and Deborah Devenney

From flash sales to clearance sections, buy-one-get-one’s to rewards points, saving money while shopping is hard! All of these and more combine to get our minds into a frenzy, causing us to engage in impulse spending. It seems our only line of defense is to practice self-denial (not our favorite hobby) or to carry cash and again engage in again, a somewhat painful experience. Well friends, the game is about to change.

We’ve put together a list of 51 ways to stop impulse buying so you can learn fun, creative and new ways to save! How did we learn so many amazing tips for how to save money shopping? By using impulsesave of course! It’s trained us to literally be super-savers and after reading our Ultimate Guide To Super-Saving you will be too :)

General:

1. Always carry a list with you - if it’s not on the list, don’t bring it home.
2. When grabbing a few items, carry a basket not a cart - we tend to fill the space!
3. Ask, “Did I need [item] this week?” If the answer is no, it’s not a need.
4. Anticipate when you’ll need to replace something you use and put it on a list.
5. When an appliance breaks, wait a week before replacing to see how much it’s missed.
6. Resist the urge to upgrade - a scrub or a splash of paint goes a long way.
7. When buying gifts for the kiddos - go classic and unisex.
8. Don’t shop cheap, shop smart. “On clearance” doesn’t mean it’s a good buy!
9. Always think, “Could I make this myself?” DIY it when possible!
10. Coupons don’t = saving. We often end up buying items we don’t need.

 

Retail:

1. Don’t buy full-price - clothing is seasonal so the blouse you love will soon be ½ price!
2. When ready to check out, but one item back this will help you determine need vs want.
3. Trendy pieces are fun but use the rule of 70/30 to see if it’s really a good purchase.
4. When buying furniture, first look at the floor displays great quality a lot cheaper.
5. Always check thrift stores for similar versions of seasonal items.
6. Black, grey, tan or navy: find your perfect solid so mixing and matching is easier.
7. Prioritize multi-season pieces that work in multiple settings.
8. Sucker for designer jeans? Check your local thrift store.
9. Keep an eye out for freebies on the side of the road: tables, chairs, even couches.
10. Take a closet inventory, a fun way to determine what you actually need.

 

Entertainment and Gadgets:

1. If apps are your weakness, disconnect your credit card from your account.
2. Budget for fun-night to eliminate guilt on date night, family movie night or girls night out.
3. Research when buying gadgets. Read reviews, watch videos, and talk to the experts.
4. Never buy a DVD when it first comes out.
5. Don’t buy version 1 of a new gadget, later versions are better and often cheaper.
6. Budget for entertainment so you don’t feel deprived leading to unplanned splurges.
7. Take your sweet to a matinee! Same movie, smaller crowd, almost ½ the price.
8. Hit RedBox to satisfy your craving for a new flick.
9. Keep a list of flicks you’d like to add to the collection, only browse sales for those items.
10. When it comes to protective gear for your gadgets, care is the best cover.
11. Mute during commercials to help resist the flashy, clever sales pitches.

Grocery:

1. In a grocery store stick to the outside aisles, the middle is full of traps, and junk food.
2. Only buy meat on the bone, it’s more nutritious and less expensive.
3. Plan your meals for the week (or two weeks) in advance so you don’t over-buy.
4. Always use a calculator (on most phones) to avoid surprise balances at check-out.
5. Buy frozen veggies - a cheaper and more nutritious alternative to fresh veggies. t
6. Never shop hungry.
7. Treat the kids to a snack on the way to keep tears and tantrums at bay.
8. Buy one frozen dinner a week so you don’t have an exhaustion induced fast-food run.
9. Once you’ve made your list, go online to print out list-specific coupons.
10. Enjoy samples, but don’t let the tasty treat trick you into a needless purchase.

Vacation:

1. The hand-painted souvenirs are cute now, but only mean clutter later.
2. Find a kitchen and a refrigerator even if you have to invest in a suite.
3. Use public transportation, cabs are expensive and public transit is an adventure.
4. Photos are the best souvenirs so skip the “Greetings from Florida” t-shirt.
5. Bring snacks: planes, amusements parks, and waterparks are famous for $5 lemonades.
6. Set up an itinerary ahead of time so you can plan your budget accordingly.
7. Ask for group rates, student discounts, or AAA rewards at museums and parks.
8. Couch surf with family and friends.
9. Snack in the afternoon at a ritzy place and eat a later dinner at a local favorite!
10. Explore biped style and get your walk on! Great exercise and totally free.

As you can see, we are very passionate about helping people stop impulse buying. We hope this list helps you say no the next time you’re tempted to splurge. And you can feel really good about your decision when you ImpulseSave the savings! We always love finding fun ways to save money, so when you make an ImpulseSave, be sure to share it on your networks and spread the joy!

Who knew saving money could be so much fun?

What are some of your tips to resisting impulse buys? Which of these tips did you find most helpful?

Financial Advice for College Graduates: Remember the Mini-Muffin

By Deborah Devenney

The Psychology of a Mini-Muffin
I generally consider myself a pretty health-conscious eater. I mean, don’t count calories or anything, but I try to eat lots of fruits and veggies and stay away from unnecessary fats and sugars.

So for me, when I came down stairs today and saw a box of enormous muffins on the counter, it was no problem at all to turn the other way - that’s a lot of saturated fat and calories! So off to my typical yogurt and fruit breakfast. How different would that situation be, however, if that box of chocolate chip muffins was shrunk down into a bag of cute little bite-sized mini-muffins. These little temptations are indeed much more difficult to resist!

A regular muffin looks so big, it would be irresponsible to eat that. But a mini-muffin is so innocent, it’s so much easier to grab a couple. Deep down I know that eating 4 or 5 mini-muffins would be the same thing as eating one regular-sized muffin - or even more! So why is it so easy to say yes to so many little things, when it is so easy to say no to just one big thing?

Economics For Recent College Grads
As a recent college grad, and soon-to-be graduate student, the issue of money seems to be the fat and sugar-loaded muffin in my life. It’s something that is way too big to even start to think about as a whole; it’s downright depressing to comprehend how far I need to stretch every dollar.

College students in debt everywhere know what I’m talking about. For many of us, this is the first time in our lives we will be cut off completely from our parents and have to start from scratch looking for a place to live, a job, a mode of transportation, and other details yet to be discovered.

For those of us that are boomeranging-it back to the safety of home until we can afford a place of our own, there are still many financial decisions to be made. From the little things, like determining the steps for budgeting, to bigger financial goals like building an emergency fund, it starts to feel very overwhelming.

The Pros of Using a Mini-Muffin Perspective
That’s where the mini-muffin goes from sneaky diet disturbance to your financial friend indeed. Looking at all the bills I need to pay with my small paycheck is like trying to conquer Everest - and forget about setting long-term goals or making a big purchase! That muffin is just too huge and I would rather stay away.

And yet, in the last few months I have managed to save up $1000 towards my student loans (before the grace period is even up, by the way), spend $650 on a new computer, and still put away money for grad school.

How was I able to eat these enormous muffins without feeling totally overwhelmed? By setting smaller goals and saving along the way.

Take my student loans, for example. Instead of considering the whole sum at once, I am breaking it up into mini-muffin portions: I owe over $26,000, but by setting up an ImpulseSave account for a bite-sized $1,000 piece of the whole bill, I can celebrate the smaller steps I make towards the final end!

You can handle the big stuff - in smaller pieces
So all you graduates - yeah, YOU! - if you start to get exhausted by people saying things like “How are you going to pay off all those loans?” or “You’d better start saving an emergency fund!” of any of the other cliche questions or tips for recent college graduates, just remember the mini-muffins.

You don’t have to eat the whole muffin in one bite. You’ll get there soon enough, just bite it off into little chunks and celebrate the small victories along the way!

Saving For A Rainy Day: Should you build an emergency fund?

Alysa Seeland

There are fun ways to save money like, saving for a vacation. There are creative ways to save money like shopping healthy on a budget. Then there are just sometimes when you need to hunker down and build an emergency fund. Why? Well let me tell you a story...

It was Monday morning, it was raining, the hubs and I were late to a meeting, and even though we knew we shouldn’t drive the car that desperately needed a check-up, we hopped in. Five minutes later - in front of an elementary school with two buses behind us - the car died. It just died in the middle of the intersection. We both got out in the pouring rain and pushed the car to the side while mom’s and dad’s of all ages and buffness watched us like were were ballerinas twirling just for them.

Over two hours and two tow trucks later,  we learned the car would be $480 to fix. It was the alternator and something else I cannot pronounce so we checked with a couple of experts, decided the price was a little high but it was better than paying to get it towed again. Needless to say the event was STRESSFUL.

There are two reasons I can give for building and emergency fund or saving for a rainy day. One, it significantly minimizes the stress when a rainy day comes. Two, like our friends over at See Debt Run say, the rainy day will come. My family’s emergency fund is always, ahem - almost always, stocked with $2,000. If the sun’s shining consistently, we usually have $4,000 but during really rough patches it can dwindle to $400.

While $4,000 might seem like a chunk of change, it actually only represents two months worth of our expenses. Now ideally, we should have between 3 and 6 months of expenses saved up so if there’s a job loss, an emergency travel expense, or even a trip to the hospital, we’d be prepared! Sometimes determining exactly how much you can afford to save is tricky - if you need help finding a specific number, Wise Bread has a great article called Figuring Your Emergency Fund.  

Even though it’s not always where it “should” be, we’re not too discouraged because we know the key to building an emergency fund: something is better than nothing and progress is progress. Let’s say you save $50 this month and next month you have a $300 car repair, at least you had a little to soften the blow.

One of the best ways to save for a rainy day is with ImpulseSave. I like to turn it into a savings-hunt! Whenever I see a tow truck or drive past a car-repair shop I impulsesave $30 to know I’ve got my future back. Zen Habit’s also has a great list of 21 tips for new ways to save for a rainy day if you find yourself stuck. As much as I might miss that $200+ a month there’s nothing that saves me from despair on a real rainy day Monday like peace of mind.